Fax appoint on-loan prop Luke to off-field role

Halifax have appointed the dual-registered Leeds Rhinos prop Luke Ambler as their business development manager, a move which will heighten speculation the Ireland international could stay with his hometown club beyond the end of this season.

Ambler, a former Ovenden junior, was starting the newly-created two days a week job today, working alongside Fax’s commercial manager Pete Emmett.

The Ireland international, who is still subject to a 24-hour recall by the Super League champions, will fit the role around his training schedules with Fax and the Headingley giants.

“It’s about working with the sponsors, schools and the local amateur clubs and it’s something I’m looking forward to,” said Ambler.

“It’s two days a week for now and I am going to fit it around my training at Leeds and various other bits and bats I have going on.

“It’s something I am looking forward to and hopefully I can make a success of it.”

What the move means for Ambler beyond the end of this season is open to debate.

The player’s Leeds deal expires in November and he has already conceded he will almost certainly be moving on.

But while Fax boss Karl Harrison would doubtless be keen to retain a player he first signed as a junior during his reign at Salford, Ambler is remaining non-commital.

“People will always speculate at this time of year, but there’s nothing I can do about that,” he said.

“I will just concentrate on my rugby and let everything else take care of itself.

“I can’t say anything right now, I am still under contract at Leeds and until they sort things out at their end and decide what they’re doing I can’t do anything.

“As I said before, I don’t think I’ll be there; they’ve just signed another two of their props up on new deals.

“It’s not a negative thing, I spoke to Brian McDermott and they believe I can play Super League.

“But they’ve got seven props and it’s no good for me at this stage of my career being a seventh choice prop, no matter what club it is.

“That’s fair enough and I respect their honesty.

“Overall, it’s a decision I have to weigh up and I need to discuss that with my family.

“My dad’s been a massive factor in my career; it was him who was taking me to Salford at 15 four nights a week after working a 12 hour shift.

“You have to take into consideration all the people around you and make the right choice for you.